World Golf Hall of Fame
3 Carolina Vista Drive, Pinehurst, NC
Tom Weiskopf’s long, successful and multifaceted career in golf left an indelible mark on the game.
He won only one major title, The Open Championship at Troon in 1973, but he performed exceptionally well in many of the game’s biggest events. From 1969 to 1979, he posted 12 top-five finishes in majors, including four runner-up showings at the Masters (1969, 1972, 1974, 1975), the latter a duel between him, Johnny Miller and eventual winner Jack Nicklaus. His performances earned him a spot on a pair of winning U.S. Ryder Cup Teams in 1973 and 1975.
Weiskopf’s journey in golf began when his father took him to the 1957 U.S. Open at Inverness Club in Toledo, Ohio. Watching Sam Snead hit shots on the range inspired him to take up the game, and he eventually followed in the footsteps of fellow Ohio legend, Nicklaus, by attending The Ohio State University.
“Unquestionably, the best years of my life were those spent in Columbus, at Ohio State,” Weiskopf said. “Those years gave me the confidence to become successful.”
In his amateur days, Weiskopf showcased his talent by winning the 1963 Ohio Amateur Championship, a triumph that set the stage for his transition into professional golf. He turned pro the following year, and quickly ascended to the top of his profession. Though it took him four years to earn his first PGA TOUR victory, he became a formidable force, amassing 16 victories while solidifying his status as one of the era’s premier players.
Weiskopf’s influence extended far beyond his exploits on the golf course. He used his expertise to become one of finest modern-day architects, designing courses such as Troon Golf Club and TPC Scottsdale in Arizona.